UN says 36,000 civilians seek shelter in South Sudan capital

The United Nations called on Tuesday for free movement and protection of civilians fleeing fighting in the South Sudanese capital of Juba, where it said at least 36,000 displaced people are seeking shelter in U.N. sites and other locations.

"Access to those in need is limited by the ongoing fighting and insecurity," U.N. spokeswoman Alessandra Vellucci told a news briefing in Geneva.

Access to the U.N. compound is being blocked for civilians, who are trapped in churches and schools without access to water and sanitation, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, adding that it was sending trauma kits.

Meanwhile the U.N. refugee agency called on neighboring countries to keep their borders open to people seeking asylum and said it was gearing up for possible refugee outflows.